The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed with Island Records and released their debut album, Boy (1980). Subsequent work such as their first UK number-one album, War (1983), and the singles "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" helped establish U2's reputation as a politically and socially conscious group. By the mid-1980s, they had become renowned globally for their live act, highlighted by their performance at Live Aid in 1985. The group's fifth album, The Joshua Tree (1987), made them international superstars and was their greatest critical and commercial success. Topping music charts around the world, it produced their only number-one singles in the US, "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".
Facing creative stagnation and a backlash following their documentary/double album, Rattle and Hum (1988), U2 reinvented themselves in the 1990s through a new musical direction and public image. Beginning with their acclaimed seventh album, Achtung Baby (1991), and the multimedia-intensive Zoo TV Tour, the band integrated influences from alternative rock, electronic dance music, and industrial music into their sound, and embraced a more ironic, flippant image. This experimentation continued through their ninth album, Pop (1997), and the PopMart Tour, which were mixed successes. U2 regained critical and commercial favour with the records All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), which established a more conventional, mainstream sound for the group. Their U2 360° Tour of 2009–2011 is the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour in history. The group's thirteenth album, Songs of Innocence (2014), was released at no cost through the iTunes Store, but received criticism for its automatic placement in users' music libraries.
U2 has released 14 studio albums and is one of the world's best-selling music artists in history, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, the ONE/DATA campaigns, Product Red, War Child, and Music Rising.
Foundation: The band originally formed in 1976 when Larry Mullen posted a bulletin in his school asking for musicians to form a rock band. The band then consisted of the four current members plus three additional guitarists, including The Edge’s brother Dick Evans (later a member of Virgin Prunes), Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin. According to legend, Bono originally auditioned as a guitarist but couldn’t play. He auditioned as lead vocals, but really couldn’t sing. He was, however, incredibly enthusiastic about the band, extremely charismatic, a great writer, and was strangely able to reach the audience when the band played, something he is known for still today. Bono will reach out into the crowd and dance or mess with someone in the crowd at every concert. He was kept as a member. The extra guitarists would soon leave the band and the group would go through the names “Feedback ” and “The Hype” before finally settling on U2.
The 70s & 80s: 1978 was a jumping point year for the band, finally finding their sound / voice. U2 won a talent contest in 1978: £500 and funds to make a record. Paul McGuinness became the band’s manager and U2 released an EP called Three and the single Another Day, the following year. U2 went on to release their first album, Boy and then more critically acclaimed albums incl.: October, War, Under A Blood Red Sky, and The Unforgettable Fire (featuring the song PlayMLK dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr). Seen by many as a political band with more charisma than others, they were called “a different kind” of band. After a short break U2 returned with The Joshua Tree & the USA music inspired Rattle And Hum (also a movie of the same name, based on the tour).
The 90s: Promising ”to dream it all up again”, they added industrial and dance styles to their music. Trying to drop a goody two shoes image, they went to Berlin (Germany), supposedly to develop new self-expressions. From there they started to make fun of themselves and had a good time of it in albums like Achtung Baby (meaning ”watch out, baby”, artwork feat. make-up artist Nassim Khalifa) & Zooropa. Bono took on many stage personae such as “The Fly”, “Mirrorball Man” and “Mr. MacPhisto” for the gigantic ZOO TV Tour. Later they continued to make fun of Pop culture and all its extremes with the album Pop and consequent PopMart tour which was announced to be launched at a Kmart store and included a giant golden arch across the stage.
The 00s: At the end of the 90’s into 00’s U2 became less image and more reality. With the death of Bono’s good friend Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS, Bono wrote more songs from the heart surrounding ideas like life and death, children, hope, and the real world past all the pop culture and TV. Some say they’ve returned to a more band-centric sound with albums like All That You Can’t Leave Behind which features a song, Kite, dedicated to Bono’s father who passed away shortly after the album’s conception and 2004’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
The 10s: U2 went on the U2 360° Tour in 2009 and 2010. This tour set records for the highest-grossing concert tour. The band worked with producer Danger Mouse for their thirteenth album Songs of Innocence, which was released on 9 September 2014 for free to all Apple iCloud users.
The Name: There are many theories as to the origin of the name U2. For example, U2 was an intelligence airplane that was in use by the United States during the Cold War. Other obvious candidates include “You too” and “You two”, etc. Nonetheless the official line on the name’s origins remains unknown. The band has been quoted as saying that they did think of the U2 spy plane, but remain hushed about other reasons… U2
Baby Please Come Home
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The snow's comin' down (Christmas)
I'm watchin' it fall (Christmas)
Lots of people around (Christmas)
Baby, please come home
The church bells in town (Christmas)
What a happy sound (Christmas)
Baby, please come home
They're singin' "Deck The Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
Pretty lights on the tree (Christmas)
I'm watchin' 'em shine (Christmas)
You should be here with me (Christmas)
Baby, please come home
Baby, please come home
Baby, please come home
They're singin' "Deck The Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
If there was a way (Christmas)
I'd hold back these tears (Christmas)
But it's Christmas day (Christmas)
Baby, please come home (Christmas)
Home (Christmas)
Baby, please come home
Baby, please come home
Baby, please come home
Baby, please come home
U2's cover of "Baby, Please Come Home" is a song originally written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. It was recorded by Darlene Love in 1962 and has been covered many times by a variety of artists. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for happier times at Christmas. The singer is watching the snow fall and enjoying the festive atmosphere of the holiday, but feels an empty space without their loved one by their side.
The song begins with the upbeat sound of the church bells ringing, and the singer urges their lover to return home. The music video for U2's cover features the band playing the song in a recording studio, with images of snowy landscapes and holiday decorations flashing in the background. The lyrics reference the traditional Christmas song "Deck the Halls," but the singer notes that without their loved one, it doesn't feel like Christmas at all.
Throughout the song, the singer reminisces about past holiday memories with their lover, expressing their desire for them to return and make new ones. The final lines express the urgency of their plea, asking their lover to come home on Christmas Day. The song ends with a repeated plea for them to return, underscoring the deep sense of loss and longing conveyed throughout the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Christmas, baby, please come home
The singer is requesting their loved one to come back home for Christmas.
The snow's comin' down (Christmas)
The snow is falling, which is a sign that Christmas is here.
I'm watchin' it fall (Christmas)
The singer is observing the snowfall, which is a beautiful sight during Christmas.
Lots of people around (Christmas)
There are many people gathered around, celebrating Christmas together.
The church bells in town (Christmas)
The church bells are ringing, indicating the start of the Christmas celebrations.
They're ringin' a song (Christmas)
The church bells are playing a musical tune, which signifies the joy of Christmas.
What a happy sound (Christmas)
The sound of the church bells is a pleasant, joyful noise.
They're singin' "Deck The Halls"
People are singing the Christmas carol 'Deck The Halls'.
But it's not like Christmas at all
Despite the celebrations taking place, the artist feels like something is missing - their loved one.
I remember when you were here
The artist recollects the good times they had with their loved one during Christmas.
And all the fun we had last year
The singer reminisces the happy memories of the previous year's Christmas celebrations with their loved one.
Pretty lights on the tree (Christmas)
The Christmas tree is decorated with beautiful lights, adding to the festive atmosphere.
I'm watchin' 'em shine (Christmas)
The singer is enjoying the sight of the lights shining on the Christmas tree.
You should be here with me (Christmas)
The singer desires the presence of their loved one during the Christmas celebrations.
If there was a way (Christmas)
If it were possible,
I'd hold back these tears (Christmas)
The artist is emotional and expresses their sadness and longing for their loved one.
But it's Christmas day (Christmas)
The significance of the day makes it difficult for the artist to hold back their emotions.
Baby, please come home (Christmas)
The singer reiterates their desire for their loved one to come back home for Christmas.
Home (Christmas)
The singer misses the warmth and comfort of being at home with their loved one.
Baby, please come home
The artist pleads with their loved one to come back home for Christmas.
Baby, please come home
The artist repeats their plea, emphasizing the importance of their loved one's presence.
Baby, please come home
The artist continues to request their loved one to return home for Christmas celebrations.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Phil Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laurylie Polito
It's Christmas
Baby, please come home
(Yeah!)
The snow's coming down
I'm watching it fall
Watching the people around
Baby please come home
The church bells in town
They're ringing a song
What a happy sound
Baby please come home
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
Pretty lights on the tree
I'm watching 'em shine
You should be here with me
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
If there was a way
I'd hold back these tears
But it's Christmas day
Baby please come home
Ohh...
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Ohh...
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Scott Long
What I really hate about this song is that it isn't 5-6 minutes long! One of the best Christmas songs ever.
Cheryl Ronneberg
Agree!! Most of them go on forever.⏳
Joe Nolte
I agree wish it was 1- 16 makes me smile
Matthew Newland
Yeah it's like too short I totally agree with you
Lora Dunn
I agree...but I think it was originally was Motown... most songs then were 3 min or less...there just aren't enough lyrics to stretch it out!
Adrienne Roberts
My absolute favorite version of this song 😍
michael delahunty
Watch the Michael Buble version
john daggett
I've been listening to U2 for 36 years now and they still have the same effect as the 1st time I heard them.
Pendragon__94
I completely agree with you! I've been ever since the albu "War"! U2 is an absolutely amazing band! Merry Christmas everyone!
Marco Schincaglia
john daggett for me is the same! !!